Pediatric neurosurgery
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality and the Chiari malformation: controlled observations.
Case reports have suggested an association between the Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1) and spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA). No controlled observations have appeared. We report a case-control study. ⋯ These controlled observations fail to support the hypothesis that CM1 is associated with SCIWORA in childhood. If there is a real association, in the context of recent estimates of the prevalence of CM1 in the pediatric population, the magnitude of the incremental risk must be very small.
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Review Case ReportsChronic subdural hematoma associated with an arachnoid cyst in a juvenile taekwondo athlete: a case report and review of the literature.
Both chronic subdural hematoma and arachnoid cysts are common lesions in neurosurgical practice. Arachnoid cysts are a well-known predisposing factor for chronic subdural hematoma. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first case of chronic subdural hematoma with associated arachnoid cysts in a taekwondo athlete. We also review the literature on sports-related chronic subdural hematomas associated with arachnoid cysts in children.
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Factors predicting the need for cerebrospinal fluid diversion following posterior fossa tumor surgery in children.
No consensus exists regarding the management of hydrocephalus in children with posterior fossa tumors before, during or after surgery. In the present study we analyze the factors that predispose to persistent hydrocephalus and the need for a postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion procedure. ⋯ The fact that less than one-third of patients require a CSF diversion after posterior fossa tumor resection refutes the role of prophylactic endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Awareness regarding the factors that can predict persistent postoperative hydrocephalus is essential for the surgeon during patient counseling and surgical planning, and also in deciding the intensity of postoperative clinical and radiological monitoring.
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Case ReportsAnaesthetic management of a giant encephalocele: size does matter.
Encephalocele is a form of neural tube defect, characterized by protrusion out of the meninges and brain tissue through a bony skull defect. As per the site of origin, these encephaloceles have been classified into different types, out of which the frontoethmoidal one is exclusively common in Southeast Asia with a reported incidence of 1 in 5,000. Neurological outcome of such malformations depends on the size of the sac, neural tissue content, hydrocephalus, associated infection, and other pathologies that accompany this condition. Here we describe the anaesthetic concerns and perioperative management of a giant occipital encephalocele.
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Pediatric neurosurgery · Jan 2012
Case ReportsSpinal congenital dermal sinus presenting as a diagnostic conundrum.
Spinal congenital dermal sinus is a rare entity. Still rarer is its location over the thoracic and cervical spine. Secondary to congenital dermal sinus, intramedullary abscesses of the spinal cord are uncommon. ⋯ We report such an interesting case of thoracic spinal congenital dermal sinus associated with intramedullary abscess in an 18-month-old boy who presented with a diagnostic conundrum. The pathogenesis, clinical presentation, neuroimaging and management of such cases are discussed. Awareness, detection, timely referral and definitive operative intervention for a better neurological outcome are emphasized.